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Square Foot Gardening

I have never really used a traditional "square foot" garden layout. More of a modified block gardening layout, with the blocks whatever size I needed to hold a single plant type. I find that limiting the space to four by four both directions is not the wisest use of my space, since I can usually either step between plants to reach the middle, or reach from the sides even if the section is longer than four feet long. I usually do about a four foot wide block though.

The purpose behind square foot gardening is to use less space between rows, and more space for actual growing things. I also tend to use VERY narrow pathways between things, and allow some plants to vine out over the pathway.

Basil: 1Beans: bush-type 9; pole-type 8 - plant in double rowsBeets: 16 - I just broadcast seed these, and thin to approximate spacingBroccoli: 1 - if you stagger the plantings (planting in triangular arrangements) you can fit moreCabbage: 1 - same as broccoli Cantaloupe: 1 (grow in row of 4 squares, on trellis)Carrots: 16 - broadcast seed, and thin to approximate spacing - the thinnings are edibleCauliflower: 1 - same as broccoliCelery: 4 (6")Chard(Swiss): 4 - broadcast seed, and thin to approximate spacing - thinnings are edibleCorn: 4 - plant in single or double rowsCucumbers: 2 in a row of 4 sqft (6" apart along middle of sqft row)Eggplant: 1Garlic: 9 (4")Leeks: 9Lettuce: 4 - broadcast seed, thin repeatedly until you get single plants - use thinnings for baby lettuceOkra: 1-2Onions: 16 - if you seed in onions, you can thinly broadcast the seed, and thin later - eat the thinningsOregano: 1/4Parsley: 4Peas: 8 (grow in row of 4 squares on trellis) plant bush type in double rows so they support each otherPeppers: 1Potatoes: 1 - can plant potatoes in containers and hill up inside the container to grow more from one plantRadishes: 16Savory: 1Spinach: 9 - broadcast seed, thin gradually to right spacing, eat the thinningsSquash, Summer: vine-type 3 in 4 ft; bush-type 1 in 3 ftSquash, Winter: 1 in 2 ftThyme: 4Tomatoes: bush-type: 1 in 2 ft, staggered; vine-type 1 (in row of 4 on trellis)Watermelon: bush-type 1; vine-type 1 in 2 ft - both kinds along trellisZucchini: 1 in 2 sq ft

If you crowd your garden, you must be careful to weed it well, fertilize it well, and watch the plants to make sure they don't overcrowd. Using broadcast seeding, you'll have to thin every week, but the thinnings are often edible, and can give you early harvests from the garden.

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